costa rica travel

costa rica travel

PACKAGE DESCRIPTION : To travel to Costa Rica is an opportunity to escape the stress and tedium of the daily world and discover a country proud of its ecological preservation. With only .03% of the planet's surface, the nation is endowed with over 5% of all life forms on earth.

In 14 days we will show you the vast richness of the country's natural wealth: San Jose, capital city; Tortuguero whose canals are one of the world's most popular ecotourism destinations; Arenal Volcano which erupts 3 to 4 times every hour; Quepos, a great beach and home to Manuel Antonio National Park and Savegre, a beautiful cloud forest where the unique and impressive bird, The Quetzal make its home.

LETTER CODES: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner.

Day by Day Itinerary .

Day 1. WELCOME TO COSTA RICA . Arrivals to the International Airport Juan Santamaria. Upon arrival at the San Jose airport, you will be met by one of our representatives how will explain your itinerary, answer any questions and provide you with a packet of vouchers and information about your trip. Transfer to Hotel Herradura and Check In.

Day 2. TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK (B, L, D) After breakfast, enjoy a brief coach drive through Braulio Carrillo National Park (commonly referred to as a Symphony of Green) where it is common to see sloth lazily soaking up the sun in the high tree limbs. Then it's a leisurely cruise to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast. Touring the jungle canals by boat one can see Caymans, monkeys, toucans, manatees and over 400 varieties of birdlife. Overnight at Laguna Lodge or similar.

Day 3. TORTUGUERO (B,L,D). Morning and dusk cruising on the canals. In the afternoon, relax in the pool of the hotel or visit the small village of Tortuguero . July to September is prime time for a night trek on the beach to watch giant green turtles laying their eggs in the sand. Note: Entrance fee to National Park not included.

Day 4. SARAPIQUI (B, L). After breakfast hotel check out and departure to our next destination. On the middle of the way and after lunch, you will meet your private transport or shuttle bus and proceed overland to Sarapiqui. Check In at Rain Forest Lodge Sarapiquis with afternoon at leisure. This hotel is one of the pioneer's rain forest lodges in CR and it is located just in front the Sarapiqui River . The rooms are rustic but with all the comfort and the hotel's concept is an Indian village where the rooms are immersed into a big Palapa concept. Dinner on your own.

DAY 5. COMBO ADVENTURE TOUR (B, L) After a full Costa Rican breakfast, you will experience a great adventure in Costa Rica . The Adventure Combo Tour is a combination of 2 of the most adventurous tours in Costa Rica . The Canopy Tour and the Whitewater Rafting. These 2 activities in just one day. The Canopy Tour has a total of 12 cables and 17 platforms, 7 of which are build on trees between 60 and 90 feet high. This unique experience will take you through a canyon where you start from the edge at the ground and after several tree and ground platforms you end at a landing platform on the ground crossing the canyon 2 or 3 times. The whitewater rafting leaves at the Hacienda's put-in and runs 13 Km . to Chilamate, with an average gradient of 1.2%. It can be run year round and no previous experience is required. Lunch included at the Hacienda Pozo Azul. After the tour, hotel's return. Dinner on your own.

DAY 6. FREE TIME ( B) Explore the surroundings of Sarapiqui on your own. We can give you some very good recommendations. Lunch and dinner on your own.

Day 7. CHOCOLATE TOUR & ARENAL VOLCANO ( B, D) . In this three-hour activity you will discover the marvels of one of the favorite foods of humankind - chocolate. A plant originating in Mesoamerica with an extraordinarily rich history, cacao, or chocolate, was one of the most important products of the Maya and Aztec, as well as other Central American cultures. The tour includes a guided hike across the Tirimbina suspension bridge to a cacao plantation, as well as to a forested section where you will observe forest species of cacao and how the product originally developed there. During the hike, the natural and cultural history of the cacao tree is explained. Onsite, you will learn about the process by which cacao is processed into chocolate (harvesting, fermentation, drying, milling). There also you may taste different types of chocolate, made from organic chocolate grown by the Association of Amazilla Women of the Caribbean , a group of rural women from Pueblo Nuevo de Guacimo dedicated to the production of organic chocolate. Lunch on your own at the hotel and by 2:00 PM, land transfer to La Fortuna town where the impressive and active Arenal Volcano is located. Check In at Hotel Arenal Paraiso or similar. Afternoon, visit to Baldi Hot Spring Waters and free time for enjoy the place. Dinner included at this paradise. Note: Transportation form the hotel to the hot springs not included, but it is only 5 minutes by cab.

Day 8. A FREESTYLE DAY IN ARENAL (B) . Customize your vacation with the included adventure of your choice. Please select one tour.

- Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge : Caño Negro and  Rio Frío are biological humid areas considered to be one of the richest in biological diversity in Costa Rica . Here you can find a great variety of resident and migratory birds plus three different species of monkeys, also iguanas, sloths, turtles and caymans. The tour starts when we pick up all “ Nature Lovers” from the hotel in a very comfortable bus for the 1-½ hour Transfer to Los Chiles, a culturally mixed village only 4-km from the Nicaraguan border. Here your boat waits for your river adventure, at that time we begin our 2 ½ hour floating safari through Tropical Rain Forest and pastures until we arrive at the marsh. 
-Sky Tram: Enjoy a nature walk into the rain forest and admire from a spectacular lookout point the impressive Arenal Volcano. This 2 hours and a half expedition will allow you to learn more about the tropical ecosystems and spot the most common wildlife species of the area. Along the trail you will enjoy 3 waterfalls and 2 hanging bridges (300 and 180 feet long) before to return to the main building by modern aerial tram.
- Safari Adventure Boat : Enjoy a relaxing 2 hour float with no motor, only the incredible sounds of nature around you. Our expert bilingual naturalist guide will describe the many different flora and fauna of the region.
- Horseback Riding to Arenal Volcano : It is the perfect horseback riding tour in this area. As we come closer to the volcano, we ride through rivers and tropical rain forest, and enjoying the magnificent Arenal Volcano.
- Cerro Chato Hike : You'll hike through lush rain forests and pasture lands, and witness spectacular scenic views. The tour begins at the Old Observatory Lodge after passing by the Arenal National Park , Volcano and Lake .
- Arenal Mountain Biking : With a moderate ranking, we offer you a mountain bike tour in one of the best-suited area of Costa Rica : the region of Arenal Volcano with its lush vegetation and excellent views.
- La Fortuna on Horseback : A 90-minute horseback ride and short hike through the forest bring you to this spectacular waterfall.
- Hike Arenal Volcano : This hike takes you along the base of the volcano along forested trails and recent lava flows.
- ATV Tour: ¿ Where are we going? We start on the ATV ARENAL TOURS base after a little explanation about how to drive the ATV and safety rules. We road to La Fortuna Waterfall , next after this we go to Jauri Town to watch different kinds of plantations, we followed to La Guaria Town looking for the Arenal River, right there we have time for a little snack; with a refreshing shower finishing soon to return to the base and its respective hotel.
- Hanging Bridges : 15 hanging bridges wind their way through the forest, some with views of Arenal. Explore high in the canopy for an up-close observation of the rainforest's flora and fauna.
- Canopy Tour : Adrenaline-rushing adventure awaits – with 12 platforms and over 1,000 feet of cable strung through the tree tops. Gain a new perspective of the rainforest as you “fly” through the trees, safely attached by harness to the steel cables.
- Lake Arenal kayaking : You will embark in first class touring kayaks and spend a day paddling in the lake's calm waters while the beautiful view and energy of the Arenal Volcano penetrates your soul.
- Venado Caves : Be prepared to squeeze through small holes, crawl through tight passages, climb small rock formations, crawl on your stomach with only your head above water in a narrow tunnel as fish swim by, or walk up small waterfalls.
- Safari Kayaking . Relax and enjoy a day of heightened emotions on the quiet waters of the Peñas Blancas River .

Afternoon, free time at leisure. Lunch and dinner on your own.

Day 9. MANUEL ANTONIO BEACH (B) Depart for a land transfer to famous Manuel Antonio beach and National Park. Check In at Hotel Espadilla or similar and free time for enjoy the hotel's facilities. Evening: Free time for explore the rich nightlife of Manuel Antonio and have dinner in one of the great restaurants of the area. Lunch and dinner on your own.

Day 10. A FREESTYLE DAY IN MANUEL ANTONIO ( B). Customize your day with the included adventure of your choice. Please select one tour.

- Manuel Antonio Park Nature Walk : Take a natural history walk into the rainforest of Manuel Antonio National Park . Your bilingual naturalist guide will point out the great diversity of wildlife you might otherwise miss, and will explain the history and geography of the area.
- Canopy Safari : Sail high above the rainforest canopy and experience Manuel Antonio most popular adventure sport: the canopy zip line.
- Sunset Sail : Your adventure aboard our sail-ships begins as you sail down the scenic coast, past the beautiful beaches and islands of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Mangrove Kayaking : Easily paddle the lush mangroves to watch the abundant wildlife which includes hundreds of birds, coatis, and silky ant eaters. Immerse yourself in indescribable beauty, where nature reveals its flawlessness.
- Sea Kayaking : A challenging half day journey along the coastline of Manuel Antonio, closely passing islands and inlets that are the mating refuges of many species of marine birds. Visit islands to see the nesting grounds of sea birds.
- Isla Damas Mangrove Tour : A convenient day trip out of this region is to Damas Island , just a 30-minute boat ride from Quepos. The island has mangrove swamps filled with crocodiles and other colorful animals.
- Horseback Riding : Discover with us the most spectacular views in the area from the view point of our best horses, all while under the special care of our tour guides. Our guides have an in depth knowledge of all the trails, and have the ability to make you feel at home in your new environment.
- Mountain Biking : The surrounding mountains and jungles of Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park provide a perfect setting for every mountain bike riding level. Guided tours are available to explore hidden waterfalls, traverse steamy jungle paths and thrill at glorious coastal vistas from the mountains above.

Day 11. MANUEL ANTONIO (B). Free time for explore the surrounding on your own or take optional tours.

Day 12. MANUEL ANTONIO (B). Free time for explore the surrounding on your own or take optional tours.

Day 13. SAN JOSE . Morning: Hotel Check out and transfer to San Jose. Check in at Hotel Herradura. Deluxe room.

Day 14. (B) - Transfer to airport for return flight and good bye.

INCLUDES : 13 nights lodging, all land transportation within Costa Rica (shuttle bus or private service), all airport/ hotel transfers on scheduled arrival/ departures dates only, specified meals, specified tours and activities and naturalist tour guide on tours.

NOT INCLUDED : International air fare, airport departure taxes, meals not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, extras in hotels (laundry, phone calls and room service), gratuities, or costs associated with changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control.

Costa Rica Travel Package
DURATION: 14 Days - 13 Nights